Overview of Current International Magnesium Research and Recent CAST CRC Developments

Abstract:

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This paper provides an overview of the key areas of magnesium research and
development being undertaken internationally and consideration of the future challenges
confronting the further implementation of magnesium components. This paper will also include a
description of some of the technologies that the CAST Cooperative Research Centre has developed
and licensed for commercialisation which address some of the future challenges. There will also be
a brief overview of the extent of Australia’s commitment to magnesium alloy research through the
CAST CRC, the Centre of Excellence for Design in Light Metals and the CSIRO including their
Light Metals Flagship program.

Abstract: In this paper, effects of strontium on Mg alloys and preparation technology of Mg-Sr and Mg-Sr-Al master alloys were summarized respectively. Prospects and applications of Sr-Mg master alloys were analyzed too. The results showed that thermodynamics calculation of reaction between SrO and Mg(l) showed that molten Mg can reduce SrO, in which excess of molten. The microstructure of hypoeutectic Mg-Sr binary alloys is composed of primary Mg matrix, and laminary eutectic phase(Mg-Mg17Sr2),but the microstructure of Mg-Sr-Al alloy consists of
plate-like primary Al4Sr, laminary eutectic phase (Mg-Mg17Sr2 or Mg-Mg17Al12 or
Mg-Mg17Sr2-Mg17Al12) embedded in primary dendrites of magnesium matrix. Additive strontium in Mg alloys can refine it grains, reduce degree of porosity, improve mechanical and thermal properties, therefore, Mg-Sr master alloys can be served widely as an additive for modification or as a constituent of Mg alloys, Al alloys, Zn alloys, etc.

Abstract: The demand for magnesium alloys has increased significantly during the past decade in the automotive and electronic industries where weight reduction becomes increasingly an important issue. At present, high-pressure die casting (HPDC) is a dominant process in production of magnesium alloy components. However, magnesium alloy components produced by HPDC suffer from porosity problem and this limits the enhancement of mechanical properties through subsequent heat treatments. The semi-solid processing (SSP) is an emerging new technology for near-net shape production of engineering components, in which the alloys are processed in the temperature range where the liquid and solid phases coexist. The SSP has various advantages over the conventional casting processes. It offers the castings with high integrity and less porosity and allows subsequent heat treatments for enhancement of mechanical properties. For these advantages, the SSP of
magnesium alloys has received increasing attention in recent years. In the present study, the continuous casting process was developed for the production of magnesium billets for the subsequent SSP. The process utilizes an electromagnetic stirring system in order to obtain desired microstructure with an excellent degree of homogeneity in both microstructure and composition. Prototypes of an air conditioner cover and a telescope housing were produced using the SSP of the continuously cast magnesium alloy billets.

Abstract: The current status of research and application in the AZ(Mg-Al-Zn), AS(Mg-Al-Si), AE(Mg-Al-RE), AX(Mg-Al-Ca), ACM or MRI（Mg-Al-Ca-RE）and AJ（Mg-Al-Sr）series elevated temperature magnesium alloys are reviewed, will special attention paid to the effects of alloying elements and the control of second phases. The existing problems on the development of elevated temperature magnesium alloys are discussed.

Abstract: Small amounts of minor alloying elements such as RE and Sr were added to Mg-
8wt%Al-5wt%Zn (AZ91D+4%Zn), and their effects on the microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance were investigated. The microstucture of the investigated alloys could be characterized by dendritic Mg, Mg17Al12, a quasi-crystalline Zn-rich phase, and Al4RE (if RE is
added). Although the tensile strength of alloys was not improved, the creep strength was significantly enhanced by the additions of minor alloying elements. No apparent influence of the additions could be found on the corrosion resistance.

Abstract: The effects of alloy chemistry and heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti-Nb-Zr-Mo-Sn near  type titanium alloys have been investigated. Near β titanium alloys consisting of non-toxic alloying elements Mo, Nb, Zr, Sn possess a low Young’s modulus, and moderate strength and plasticity. As the hot rolled TLM alloy (Ti-25Nb-3Zr-3Mo-2Sn) possesses high strength and low Young’s modulus a detailed investigation is performed for this alloy. Solution treatment of the hot rolled TLM alloy reduces strength and increases ductility without affecting the Young’s modulus. Ageing of the solution treated TLM alloy reduces elongation and increases the Young’s modulus with little change in strength. Both solution treated and aged conditions show features of two stage yielding associated with a strain induced martensitic transformation.